Abilene TX vs Orem UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 86,973 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 33.3 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 66.6% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.9% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.0% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 25.6% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $509,396 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 24.5 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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